Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
At A Glance
For the second day in succession, a yearling smashed the Magic Millions Gold Coast record, with $3.2 million filly by first season sire Home Affairs out of brilliant sprinting mare Sunlight (Zoustar). The filly was one of two seven-figure lots of Day 4.
With the change of format, Friday's Super Session saw the end of Book 1. The average held steady on Day 4 at $272,507 again down on 2024’s end of Book 1 average of $275,675. The median for 2025 stayed static for the sale on Day 4 at $200,000, the same on 2024’s Book 1 median of $200,000.
The current gross at the conclusion of Day 4 sits at $205,470,000 with 754 yearlings sold, a slight increase when compared with the end of Book 1 2024 figure of $225,778,000 for 819 yearlings sold, while the clearance rate of 81.43 per cent is down from 87.88 per cent at the corresponding juncture last year.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, in partnership with Kestrel Thoroughbreds, remained at the top of the buyers' charts on Friday, having purchased 24 yearlings at a total gross of $9 million at the conclusion of four days of selling. Waller Racing and Guy Mulcaster jumped into second with 17 purchases for $7.4 million, while Ciaron Maher is in third with 18 buys at $6.6 million.
Newgate Farm remains the leading vendor after Day 4 with 52 yearlings sold, and only 4 passed, for $18.4 million, while Segenhoe Stud’s 32 sales have grossed $14.69 million and Segenhoe Stud lead by average at $459,063.
I Am Invincible retained his grip on the leading sire by gross standings on Day 4 with 38 yearlings selling for $22 million at an average of $580,395. Leading by average is Snitzel, whose 27 yearlings have averaged $765,556, just edging out Frankel whose four yearlings have averaged $762,500.
With the sale topping filly, Home Affairs' status as leading first season sire is assured, and by the end of Day 4 his stock had grossed $17.8 million with 45 lots sold at an average of $396,333. Noverre leaped into second by average with three yearlings sold at an average of $350,000, while Stay Inside’s 34 sales have averaged $295,147.
Australian yearlings are loved by international buyers
The $2.8 million Magic Millions record was blown out of the water late on the final day of Book 1 with Japanese trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida flying in especially to buy Lot 1007, the highly regarded Home Affairs filly out of the outstanding mare Sunlight (Zoustar).
The top four sellers this week were either entirely or partly purchased by international interests; the $2.8 million Snitzel x Humma Humma (Denman) colt secured by Ciaron Maher on behalf of Rebel Racing (UK), the $2.3 million sister to In Secret (I Am Invincible) bought by the Laguna Partnership (New Zealand) with John Sargent and the $1.8 million Written Tycoon x Away Game (Snitzel) filly by Ciaron Maher with John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock (USA).
Gallery: Lot 1007 - Home Affairs x Sunlight (filly) sold for $3.2 million to Mitsumasa Nakauchida, Images courtesy of Magic Millions
“Thank you to the Magic Millions company for inviting me to the sale,” Nakauchida said, having arrived at the Gold Coast on Thursday.
“I am lucky to have secured this filly, she has a quality pedigree, and I am very happy.
“I expected the price to be quite high, but she did go a little bit more than the budget, I hope the filly is worth it.”
“She will go to Japan to be trained by myself, I hope she will make a lovely racehorse.”
“I am lucky to have secured this filly (Lot 1007), she has a quality pedigree... She will go to Japan to be trained by myself, I hope she will make a lovely racehorse.” - Mitsumasa Nakauchida
Nakauchida is a fan of the Australian thoroughbred having fared well with the progeny of Australian mares.
“I have had success with Liberty Island, and I have a very good 3-year-old called Eri King who is out of Youngstar,” he said.
The winner of five of her 10 starts, Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) won four consecutive Group 1 races between December 2022 and October 2023 and has on her record two seconds to stars; to Equinox (Jpn) in the 2023 G1 Japan Cup and to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) in last year’s G1 Hong Kong International Cup.
Liberty Island (Jpn) | Image courtesy of Japan Racing Association
Her dam is the G1 ATC Sires Produce S. and G1 Spring Champion S. winner Yankee Rose (All American) whilst the unbeaten Eri King (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a Group 3 winner in late November, is a son of the G1 Queensland Oaks heroine Youngstar (High Chaparral {Ire}).
“Australian mares do very well in Japan,” Nakauchida, who also trains the G1 W.S Cox Plate runner-up Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), said.
“I don’t know the answer as to why but they do perform well with Japanese stallions.”
The filly, who will be at an age disadvantage in Japan, will, said her trainer, be given “all the time she needs to mature.”
Mitsumasa Nakauchida and Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
John Stewart was the under-bidder with Magic Millions’ Barry Bowditch saying that “it was some bidding duel, to have two big international players pair off was outstanding.”
“We look forward to following her progress in Japan,” he said of the filly who is the fourth-highest priced yearling in Australian history and the second-highest priced filly with Winx’s (Street Cry {Ire}) Pierro the highest.
Vinnie and Snitzel continue to shine
It was another big sale for Australia’s dual Champion Sire I Am Invincible who led the way in terms of gross sales, his 38 sons and daughters selling for a total of $22,055,000 with an average of $580,395 and a top price of $2.3 million.
Fellow Champion Sire Snitzel had 27 yearlings find homes for a gross of $20,670,00 and the sale’s best average of $765,556 with his biggest seller being the $2.8 million Humma Humma colt.
Zoustar had 26 sell for a total of $10,565,000, an average of $406,346; his biggest price being the $800,000 colt out of the Group 1 mare Bonaria (Redoute's Choice).
Second-season sire Wootton Bassett (GB) came in fourth in terms of gross; $10,105,000 with an average of $439,348 with his top-priced lot being the $1.7 million colt out of the stakes-placed Battleofwinterfell (USA) (Declaration Of War {USA}).
Gallery: Some of the stallions with the highest gross at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale
Filling out the top 10 (gross) were Stay Inside, Written Tycoon, Extreme Choice, Farnan and Capitalist whilst second on average (with four sold) was Frankel (GB) on $762,500.
Also of interest in regards to stallions, the sale saw yearlings from the final crops of the late Lonhro and infertile Deep Field pass through the ring.
The Australian Horse of the Year Lonhro had an average of $200,000 with Lot 806 his colt out of Prophet’s Thumb (I Am Invincible) being his top lot selling to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $300,000.
Just the one Deep Field sold; Lot 273, a colt out of Cleopatra (American Pharoah {USA}) who sold for $180,000 to Lindsay Park Racing.
Gallery: Lots from the final crops of Lonhro and Deep Field, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Australia's biggest studs and buyers love the Magic Millions
Newgate Farm led the way in terms of total sales with 52 horses sold for $18,475,000, an average of $355,288 with their best seller being the $1.7 million Snitzel x Fashion Faux Pas (USA) (Flatter {USA}) colt.
With 32 sold for $14,690,000, Segenhoe Stud had the best average of $459,063; their top lot being the $2.3 million sister to In Secret (I Am Invincible).
Coolmore Stud were represented by $13,540,000 worth of yearlings; an average of $410,303 for their 33 sold which includes the record-breaking sale-topping Home Affairs x Sunlight (Zoustar) filly.
Coolmore Stud with Lot 1007 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Arrowfield Stud’s 44 Sold for a total of $12,925,000 and an average of $293,750; their best the $1 million Snitzel colt from Dream Date (Starcraft {NZ}).
Bringing in the top five was Widden Stud with 33 sold for $11,865,000, an average of $359,545 and the sale’s second-biggest seller, the $2.8 million Snitzel colt x Humma Humma.
Behind Segenhoe with the best averages were Silverdale Farm ($447,083) and Milburn Creek ($444,286).
Silverdale Farm with Lot 1017 | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Seven vendors sold four or more yearlings at a 100 per cent clearance rate, led by the impressive 19 from 19 for Vinery Stud. Others to leave home with an empty truck include Emirates Park (selling 8), Daandine Stud (7), Waikato Stud (7), Telemon Thoroughbreds (6), Yarramalong Park (6) and Musk Creek Farm (4).
The combination of Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds spent the most; $9,005,000 on 24 horses with an average of $375,208. Their biggest purchase was a $1.05 million Home Affairs x Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt) filly.
Waller Racing & Mulcaster Bloodstock spent $7,430,000 on 17 horses; an average of $437,059; their top lot being a $900,000 I Am Invincible x Saas Fee (All Too Hard) filly.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ciaron Maher Bloodstock signed up for 18 horses, a total of $6,630,000 and an average of $368,333. His top buy was the $2.8 million Snitzel x Humma Mumma colt.
Tom Magnier purchased five horses for a $6 million gross and a $1.2 million average including the $1.8 million Written Tycoon x In Her Time (Time Thief) colt.
China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners bought eight horses for $5,125,000 and an $640,625 average including a $925,000 Extreme Choice x Mrs Ramona G (USA) (Kantharos {USA}) colt.
Seeking out a classic horse
The Magic Millions has always been a happy hunting ground for those seeking a precocious juvenile but it cannot be overlooked that the astute buyer can also find a superior Classic or staying type.
Purchased by Lee Freedman for $100,000 (thinking he was getting a sprinting type having trained the famous grey’s precocious half-sister Confederate Lady {Rancher}), Subzero (Kala Dancer {GB}) became the first Magic Millions Melbourne Cup winner in 1992.
Subzero | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Shocking, purchased in 2007 by Washpool Lodge for $45,000 and by Eales Racing for $64,000 at the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale, won the big one in 2009 and of course last year’s Cup was taken out by Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) who was purchased by Michael Kirby and John Symons for $85,000 in 2021.
It is not just Cup horses who can be found at the Magic Millions, the sale also having a host of Oaks and Derby-winning graduates and Belmont Bloodstock’s (FBAA) Damon Gabbedy had that in mind when he purchased, with Ciaron Maher, Lot 742 for $900,000 on Friday.
An attractive grey daughter of the mighty Frankel (GB) who Gabbedy describes as being “probably the best stallion in the world.” Out of a Dark Angel (Ire) granddaughter of the dual Group 1 winner Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert {USA}) whose dam is the legendary broodmare Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), the filly is as well bred as they come and Gabbedy is looking forward to seeing what she can achieve under Maher’s care.
Gallery: Lot 742 - Frankel (GB) x Of Good Cheer (GB) (filly) sold for $900,000 to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock/Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA), images courtesy of Magic Millions
“It is pretty rare to get such an order for this sale,” he said, very happy to have a client who told him to “find an Oaks filly.”
“Most people are focused on winning the Magic Millions race but when you do get an order like that, those horses are here.”
“Most people are focused on winning the Magic Millions race but when you do get an order like that (for an Oaks filly), those horses are here.” - Damon Gabbedy
Gabbedy had also delved deeper into her pedigree, noting the success of the Frankel/Dark Angel cross (eight winners from 11 runners including the high-class Bedtime Story {Ire}) whilst also happy to see no Danehill (USA) in the damline; Frankel tending to underperform with his damsire’s duplication.
Magic Millions’ Barry Bowditch was delighted to see a filly like this one prove so popular.
“This sale is all about quality and just because a horse is not an early, precocious type, it does not mean that they don’t have that quality.”
“We have races like The Wave and The Subzero over a bit of ground and we love having the progeny of such stallions as The Autumn Sun, Dundeel and Pierro. We really want to see horses sold here racing well at three and beyond.”
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Bowditch is proud of the sale’s record of producing three Melbourne Cup winners (in fact the 2024 trophy was pride of place on the rostrum for much of Friday), saying that “the sale can no longer be pigeon-holed.”
The new boys on the block making an impact
Several first-season sires made an instant impact on the sales ring.
It has been an outstanding sale for the first crop of I Am Invincible’s exciting first-season sire son Home Affairs he had the third-highest total of $17,835,000 with an average of $396,333; his daughter out of Sunlight the $3.2 million record-breaking sale-topper when selling to Mitsu Nakauchida from Japan.
The G1 Golden Slipper S. hero Stay Inside has had his first yearlings through the ring this week and they have proven extremely popular, with his 34 lots selling for up to $1 million with an average of $295,147. His standout was Lot 216 from the Eureka Stud draft that sold for $1,000,000 to the bid of James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership/Tony Fung Colts.
Stay Inside | Standing at Newgate Farm
Good judges have been impressed by the types Stay Inside is siring, and nobody is more pleased than Field who happily notes the similarities between his progeny and those by Extreme Choice.
“When you have a Golden Slipper winner by a champion stallion like Extreme Choice siring great types you know you have the right formula,” he said.
“When you have a Golden Slipper winner by a champion stallion like Extreme Choice siring great types you know you have the right formula.” - Henry Field
Cambridge Stud’s exciting Sword Of State has had an excellent sale, and his progeny have really caught the eye. He had six yearlings sell for a gross amount of $1,445,000 and an excellent average of $240,833 off his $15,000 (plus GST) service fee.
Waikato Stud’s promising first-season sire Noverre (NZ) also made an impact with some outstanding results from limited numbers, his three lots all on account of Waikato Stud sold for an average of $350,000 off his 2022 service fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST). Lot 932 was his top lot, and it sold for $500,000 to the bid of Michael Freedman Racing/Michael Wallace.
It's a good playground for astute pinhookers
It is always an interesting exercise to check out the best pinhooking results and there were a number of standout results this week; we took a look at three of them.
Lot 739, a Stay Inside colt bred by Phoenix Broodmare Farm out of the multiple city-winning mare Ocean Deep (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) caught Jim Carey’s eye at last year’s Magic Millions National Weanling Sale where he was secured for $230,000.
He impressed China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners who paid $675,000 for the bay from the Newgate draft, $445,000 more and 2.93 times his weanling price.
Lot 739 - Stay Inside x Ocean Deep (NZ) (colt) sold for $675,000 to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners, NSW | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
His dam is a full sister to the G2 Queen Of The South S. winner Fabric (NZ) and half to the Listed winner Sewreel (NZ) (Savabeel).
Lot 726, a Nicconi filly bred by GSA Bloodstock and sold by Lime Country Thoroughbreds fetched $425,000 to the bidding of Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) having been bought by Lime Country for $120,000 at the Gold Coast last year; $305,000 more and 3.45 times the weanling price.
She is out of the city winner No Crying (Exceed And Excel), a half-sister to the Group 3 winner No More Tears (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}), dam of Newgate’s G1 Coolmore Stud S. winner Ozzmosis.
Lot 726 - Nicconi x No Crying (filly) sold for $425,000 to Sheamus Mills Bloodstock (FBAA) | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Sullivan Bloodstock/Bevan Smith Bloodstock also fared well, their $75,000 purchase from the Gold Coast last year, an Ole Kirk colt out of the city winner Burning Sand (Poet’s Voice {GB}) reappearing as Lot 943 and fetching $260,000 with Busuttin Racing the happy new owners; $185,000 more and 3.46 times weanling price.
His dam is a three-quarter sister to the Listed winner Zubbaya (Dubawi {Ire}) whose grandson Tiger Shark (Rich Enuff) is a 2024 stakes winner.
Lot 943 - Ole Kirk x Singing Sand (colt) sold for $260,000 to Busuttin Racing | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Top buyers
| Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing/Kestrel Thoroughbreds | 24 | $375,208 | $1,050,000 | $9,005,000 |
| Waller Racing/Mulcaster Bloodstock | 17 | $437,059 | $900,000 | $7,430,000 |
| Ciaron Maher Bloodstock | 18 | $368,333 | $2,800,000 | $6,630,000 |
| David Ellis (BAFNZ)/Te Akau Racing | 20 | $319,250 | $650,000 | $6,385,000 |
| Tom Magnier | 5 | $1,200,000 | $1,800,000 | $6,000,000 |
| China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock & Partners | 8 | $640,625 | $925,000 | $5,125,000 |
| Resolute Bloodstock | 10 | $424,500 | $1,600,000 | $4,245,000 |
| KPW Bloodstock | 10 | $378,500 | $775,000 | $3,785,000 |
| Star Thoroughbreds/Randwick Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) | 11 | $291,364 | $425,000 | $3,205,000 |
| Mitsu Nakauchida | 1 | $3,200,000 | $3,200,000 | $3,200,000 |
Vendor aggregate
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 52 | $355,288 | $1,700,000 | $18,475,000 |
| Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 32 | $459,063 | $2,300,000 | $14,690,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 33 | $410,303 | $3,200,000 | $13,540,000 |
| Arrowfield Stud, Scone, NSW | 44 | $293,750 | $1,000,000 | $12,925,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 33 | $359,545 | $2,800,000 | $11,865,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 31 | $329,355 | $700,000 | $10,210,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 23 | $410,435 | $1,800,000 | $9,440,000 |
| Vinery Stud, Scone, NSW | 26 | $295,577 | $900,000 | $7,685,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 19 | $330,000 | $775,000 | $6,270,000 |
| Silverdale Farm, Avoca, NSW | 12 | $447,083 | $1,600,000 | $5,365,000 |
Vendor average (3 or more sold)
| Segenhoe Stud, Aberdeen, NSW | 32 | $459,063 | $2,300,000 | $14,690,000 |
| Silverdale Farm, Avoca, NSW | 12 | $447,083 | $1,600,000 | $5,365,000 |
| Milburn Creek, Wildes Meadow, NSW | 7 | $444,286 | $1,700,000 | $3,110,000 |
| Yulong, Nagambie, Vic | 23 | $410,435 | $1,800,000 | $9,440,000 |
| Coolmore Stud, Jerrys Plains, NSW | 33 | $410,303 | $3,200,000 | $13,540,000 |
| Lime Country Thoroughbreds, Blandford, NSW | 13 | $361,154 | $750,000 | $4,695,000 |
| Widden Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 33 | $359,545 | $2,800,000 | $11,865,000 |
| Newgate Farm, Aberdeen, NSW | 52 | $355,288 | $1,700,000 | $18,475,000 |
| Baramul Stud, Widden Valley, NSW | 19 | $330,000 | $775,000 | $6,270,000 |
| Yarraman Park Stud, Scone, NSW | 31 | $329,355 | $700,000 | $10,210,000 |
Sire aggregate
| I Am Invincible | 38 | $580,395 | $2,300,000 | $22,055,000 |
| Snitzel | 27 | $765,556 | $2,800,000 | $20,670,000 |
| Home Affairs | 45 | $396,333 | $3,200,000 | $17,835,000 |
| Zoustar | 26 | $406,346 | $800,000 | $10,565,000 |
| Wootton Bassett | 23 | $439,348 | $1,700,000 | $10,105,000 |
| Stay Inside | 34 | $295,147 | $1,000,000 | $10,035,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 14 | $538,214 | $1,800,000 | $7,535,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 12 | $478,333 | $925,000 | $5,740,000 |
| Farnan | 20 | $276,750 | $750,000 | $5,535,000 |
| Capitalist | 29 | $188,793 | $425,000 | $5,475,000 |
Sire average (3 or more sold)
| Snitzel | 27 | $765,556 | $2,800,000 | $20,670,000 |
| Frankel | 4 | $762,500 | $900,000 | $3,050,000 |
| I Am Invincible | 38 | $580,395 | $2,300,000 | $22,055,000 |
| Written Tycoon | 14 | $538,214 | $1,800,000 | $7,535,000 |
| Extreme Choice | 12 | $478,333 | $925,000 | $5,740,000 |
| Wootton Bassett | 23 | $439,348 | $1,700,000 | $10,105,000 |
| Zoustar | 26 | $406,346 | $800,000 | $10,565,000 |
| Home Affairs | 45 | $396,333 | $3,200,000 | $17,835,000 |
| Noverre | 3 | $350,000 | $500,000 | $1,050,000 |
| The Autumn Sun | 12 | $298,333 | $900,000 | $3,580,00 |
